Abstract: The invention is a safe, hygienic method to use a laser toothbrush employing low power radiation in conjunction with an enhanced dental liquid or paste. The method provides a safe hygienic dental treatment that can be practiced by anyone and enhances destruction of oral viruses and bacteria. The present invention teaches a method which will have a significant effect on the treatment of all types of oral diseases, inflammations, and infections. A pulsed diode laser as well as a continuous wave diode laser can be used with an enhanced dental liquid or paste for selective bio-stimulation within the oral cavity with little more effort than a conscientious person spends brushing their teeth.

Abstract: A laser system and method are described that will effectively interrupt the progression of periodontal disease in felines, particularly in situations where the disease has progressed to advanced stages of periodontitis and feline lymphocytic-plasmacytic gingivitis stomatitis. A laser system is employed to achieve precision in surgical procedures where the working field is limited due to the anatomical structure of a feline's mouth. The laser system is also capable of effectively sealing tubules and of eradicating bacteria in the periodontium to significantly reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, the laser therapy can be preceded by pretreatment methods to effectively interrupt the progression of periodontal diseases.

Abstract: The invention describes two types of multimode optical waveguides having special dip in the refractive index profile of their core providing conditions for propagation of a higher order mode with sharp central peak which field carries considerable part of the mode energy, while the fields of all other modes in the waveguide are mostly concentrated outside of this central peak region. The waveguide of the first type guides the mode only with one central peak while the mode in the waveguide of the second type has also an additional peak at the interface between the waveguide core and cladding providing a possibility to detect any influence on the mode field in its outer region by measuring the signal in the central peak of the mode.

Abstract: Multifunctional optical fiber bundles for image and signal transmission or sensor applications are proposed. The optical fiber bundles exhibit reduced speckle noise resulting from spatial inhomogeneity and asymmetry of radiation of specific fibers of the bundle. This is achieved by ordering of fiber positions in the bundle sensitive probe tips according to some prescribed rule.

Abstract: High power transmission in the 2.6 .mu.m to 16 .mu.m infrared region is hampered by damage to the ends of the optical fiber, especially the delivery end, which greatly limits the delivery capacity of the optical fiber. The threshold for damage experienced by the ends of an optical fiber, particularly at the delivery end, is raised by destroying the naturally formed speckle pattern present in a normal fiber optic laser delivery system. The speckle pattern is destroyed by vibrating the laser, the receiving end of the optical fiber, or an optical element along the transmission path. The system comprises a laser source for infrared emissions, an optical fiber capable of transmitting said wavelengths, and a vibratory device such as an ultrasonic transducer. The vibratory device is used to vibrate the laser, the optical fiber, or another optical component in the transmission path. This system not only transmits higher power densities in the infrared region but also delivers the power more evenly distributed power.